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Transcriptome analysis of ankylosed primary molars with infraocclusion
Annie Tong1, Yuh-Lit Chow2, Katie Xu3
1Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. annie.c.tong@gmail.com.
International Journal of Oral Science
|February 22, 2020
Summary
Primary molar ankylosis, a condition causing infraocclusion and dental asymmetry, is linked to inflammation and altered gene expression. This study reveals key molecular pathways involved in ankylosis, offering insights into its pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Background:
- Primary molar ankylosis with infraocclusion can impede dental arch development and create asymmetry.
- The molecular underpinnings of this condition remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular etiology and pathogenesis of primary molar ankylosis using gene expression analysis.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing was employed to compare gene expression in furcal bone from infraoccluded and non-infraoccluded primary molars.
- Differential gene expression analysis, hierarchical clustering, and principal component analysis were performed.
- Immunohistochemical analysis validated the expression of key proteins in tooth germ tissues.
Main Results:
- Out of 18,529 genes, 432 were differentially expressed between the two groups (FDR < 0.05).
- Gene expression patterns clearly separated infraoccluded and non-infraoccluded samples.
- Pathway analysis implicated the cellular inflammatory response and epithelial cell turnover in molar ankylosis.
- Validated proteins were highly expressed in the dental follicle and inner enamel epithelium.
Conclusions:
- Molar ankylosis is associated with an increased inflammatory response.
- Disruptions in the developmental remnants of the dental follicle and epithelial rests of Malassez are implicated in ankylosis.
- These findings provide novel molecular insights into the pathogenesis of primary molar ankylosis.
